I cannot get this bolt to come out for the life of me- I've taken the nut off, but now I cant get the bolt out...I've even stripped the head down from something like an 11/16 to a 10/16. Any hints or tips to get it out- also my sway bar link is the kind where i need the alen wrench- any other ways to get that out?

-Ben

(WERD UP)

What bolt are you talking about exactly?

Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

here is the pick from both angles- it is the 'lower mounting bolt'

-Ben

(WERD UP)

Ok, there are a few different things you could try:

Make sure there is no load on the bolt.

Soak the whole thing in PB Blaster to try to break the rust.

Then put a c-clamp around it with a socket large enough to fit over the bolt head with extra clearance, and tighten that bad boy up.

You could also thread the nut onto the end (keeps it from mushrooming) and hit it with a hammer, but you have to be very careful so you don't tear up the threads.

You could also try heating it with a torch, then tapping it with a hammer, just don't torch the bushing.

Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

like a shithead i tore up the first few threads on the bolt- im thinking i need to dremel those few threads off...will that work?

-Ben

(WERD UP)

You can use a cutting disc on a dremel to clean/straighten whats left of those threads. If you don't have enough good threads left for the whole nut once it's tightened up, you need to replace that bolt.

Since they're plenty of extra threads on that bolt you'll be good. Just make sure you can thread the nut on by hand, and you don't get it cross threaded.

Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

Question: where can i get a replacement- i always wonder where i can get replacement bolts like that

-Ben

(WERD UP)

You may be able to find that bolt at a hardware store if your lucky (make sure the one you pick up is grade 10). You can get any replacement bolts from satan, and usually they'll be in the next day.

Joel Baldridge, ASE Certified Master Technician, Audi Certified Expert Technician

to get that bolt out, i used the silver piece of the OEM car jack, the piece that has the rounded rectangular end. i just stuck that end up against the end of the bolt that the nut goes on, and tapped it out with a hammer. that bolt doesnt thread into the fork...it just goes right through, but you will have to use a second jack to raise that part of the suspension to get the weight of the brakes and suspension off of it before you can pull that bolt.

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